Secrets || Danny

Don smiled. "Yeah, I know. I love him to. Can't help it."

Stella didn't feel any better from what Don said. "Yeah well see that doesn't help ease the discomfort I'm feeling right now, Flack." she pointed out.

Don looked over at her. "You'll be ok, Stell. Both of you will."

Stella shook her head. "I don't know Don. How can I go back in there and face him? I'm scared to. I can't do it. I just can't." she said.

"You won't know how he'll take it until you go in and see, right?"Don asked. He was feeling almost a bit scared for Stella. They'd need her at the lab with Mac out of work for the next two months. And Mac would need someone to keep and eye on him despite the fact that he was perfectly capable of taking care of himself. They all knew how stubborn he could be. Mac would need her more than the rest of them did, but they'd still need her at the lab at least once a week. And once Mac was back at work, how would they manage if Stella and Mac weren't over this? The tension would be palpable and Don could already imagine the strain it would put on the stubborn, sometimes thick-headed senior detective. Mac just wouldn't be able to put up with that kind of torture. He could manage physical torture, he'd been through that and probably a few things worse than that in the Marines...but Mac wasn't known to be extremely strong when it came to relationships and feelings. He did have his walls...everyone knew it.

Stella nodded as a tear fell from her eyes. "Thanks Don, I guess I won't fully know until I face him. I mean, I already told him and he says he understands but who knows? Maybe he'll change his mind, and not wanna risk the friendship after all, u know what I mean?" she asked

Don took a deep breath. "I'm not sure, Stell. I just know he feels the same for you as you do him. It's in his eyes, Stella. He just didn't know how to tell you before."

Stella nodded as she headed back to Mac's room. "Thanks Don. You're a really good friend and pep talker." she said as she headed back to the room. She did feel a bit embarrassed for walking out in a frenzy. "Hey Mac, sorry about that, I just needed time to think and a little fresh air too." she said.

Don just smiled and looked after her. "No problem,"he murmured as he watched her go. Mac looked up as Stella came back in. "No, no, it's fine,"he said. "I know the feeling."

"Don could u give a minute? I need to talk to Mac alone." Stella said

Don nodded. "Course,"he said as he got up, leaving Stella alone with Mac.

Stella nodded. "Thanks Don." she said, looking over at Mac.

Mac looked over at her. "Somethin' on your mind?"he asked, concerned.

Stella nodded and buried her hands in her face, trying to control herself from crying in front of Mac. "I'm scared, Mac. Really scared. I'm bad at hiding the fact that multiple occasions like this could ultimately lead to something serious in the long run. What if this turns out to be a very serious relationship?" she asked, not knowing if she made any sense.

Mac watched her, worried about her. He reached out a hand to lay reassuringly on her arm. "Stella...it's ok...either way, we gotta figure out what's best for us. I'm willing to give it a shot if you are, but I won't do something you're not ready for or comfortable with."

Stella gripped Mac's hand, but careful not to hurt it. "I'm willing to try it Mac. I don't want anything else. I don't want anyone else in my life but u. I'm being absolutely serious." she said.

Mac offered her a soft smile. "I'm serious too, Stell. I love you,"he said.

Stella kissed Mac on the cheek and slowly made her way towards his lips. She kissed him like crazy. Man she loved him and boy did his lips taste so good. "I know. I love u too, Mac." she said, smiling.

Mac smiled and couldn't help but kiss her back. She had surprised him just a bit, but it was a good surprise and one he liked very much. He did love her, he really did. So when she said that, he could only sit there and stare at her. He could never get enough of that smile.

Stella knew she loved Mac even when they were friends. She couldn't get enough of his smile, his sexy bad ass cop mentality, and those blue eyes? Such a turn on. She had no idea what else to say to him, she could only kiss him.

Mac really did enjoy that. He had to admit, her lips tasted pretty good to him and it had been a while since he'd trusted someone brought to "give his heart to them". It was one of those things he just didn't have good previous experience with. But Stella...He trusted Stella and he loved her. He knew her, knew he could trust his heart to her and that she'd treat him right. In turn, he'd give everything for her. Without hesitation.

Stella was glad Mac loved her. Her true feelings were finally out. The entire team knew about their relationship. "I'm speechless. I don't know why." she said.

Mac smiled. "You read my mind and took the words right out of my mouth."

Stella smirked. "I'm good at that." she said.

Mac shrugged and nodded. "Of course, you've known me since I got out of Academy,"he pointed out.